STELIOS Giannakopoulos is already a Greek legend - now he is determined to take Bolton into unchartered waters.

STELIOS Giannakopoulos is already a Greek legend - now he is determined to take Bolton into unchartered waters.

The man who helped his nation become shock European champions steered Wanderers into fifth spot in the Barclays Premiership table.

Giannakopoulos' superb winner enabled Bolton to leapfrog Liverpool and move to within five points of Everton as the Merseyside rivals play on Sunday.

With eight games remaining, European football remains a distinct possibility for one of the Premiership's smaller clubs.

Manager Sam Allardyce had emphasised the importance of the run-in in his programme notes, saying they were arguably the most vital group of games in the club's history.

His team did not let him down either, although Norwich played with no lack of spirit.

Bolton looked bright and busy from the off after a good run of form which had seen the team lose only two matches in 13 games since the turn of the year.

In quick succession Kevin Nolan sent a volley narrowly wide and Fernando Hierro dragged his effort marginally off target after Gary Speed had laid the ball back.

With El-Hadji Diouf suspended, Ricardo Gardner vacated his normal defensive position for a more attacking role in the team.

Bolton almost took the lead in the 18th minute when Speed rattled in a shot from inside the six-yard box. However young Norwich defender Jason Shackell was perfectly position to make a timely block and avert the danger.

Norwich hit back and Damien Francis should have put them ahead in the 20th minute after being released by Leon McKenzie only to fire wide from a good position.

Then Francis almost put the ball into his own net with a hasty clearance following a long throw from Speed.

Bolton were playing some fluid football and Gardner turned quickly after being released by Speed in the 30th minute only to send his effort wide of the target.

Dangerous

Norwich, though, were looking dangerous on the counter-attack and Francis again found space in the 38th minute after a quick break.

Francis tried his luck on goal but goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was alert to the danger and made the block.

Hierro launched a free-kick forward for Bolton in the 41st minute which Rob Green parried with a degree of difficulty.

Bolton took the lead a minute later with a superb goal from Giannakopoulos - his fifth of the season. He latched onto a poor clearance from Marc Edworthy and weighed up his options before flighting a delightful shot beyond Green from the edge of the area.

Bolton kept up the pressure and Vincent Candela saw his magnificent effort rattle the top of the bar in the 43rd minute.

Norwich found themselves under pressure at the start of the second half and Green did well to beat away a curling effort from Davies.

Davies turned provider in the 52nd minute, finding Nolan with a cross but Green was equal to the midfielder's header from inside the area.

Norwich were eager to get back in the game and Craig Fleming found Francis three minutes later but he was crowded out.

Davies got on the end of a cross by the industrious Giannakopoulos on the hour only from Green to make a comfortable save from his header.

The visitors were gaining quite a bit of possession but on the downside were failing to put enough pressure on goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Bolton they were finding it a bit of struggle to extend their lead with Norwich getting a lot of men behind the ball.

The 25,000 crowd were playing their part and there was certainly no lack of atmosphere around the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton kept up the pressure as the game entered a crucial phase and Hierro twice in quick succession nearly extended their advantage with thunderous shots.

The former Real Madrid star's first effort cannoned off Gary Holt to safety then his second was superbly parried by Green.

Dean Ashton found space on the edge of the area only to see his effort go wide in the 85th minute and Norwich, despite all their energy and enthusiasm, stay at the foot of the table after this defeat.